Empty Bowls Club Hosts 9th Annual Fundraiser to Benefit Food Pantry

Photo courtesy of Linda Rondeau Photography

The Franklin Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food assistance and programs, partnered with the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club for the 9th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser to bring awareness to food insecurity and hunger in the community. The event took place on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Franklin High School and included a simple supper of soup and bread. More than 250 members of the community attended, and each received a handcrafted ceramic bowl made by a club member as a reminder that somewhere, someone's bowl is empty.

More than $17,500 was raised from this year’s event which will help The Pantry purchase food and personal care items, offer programs and services, and support daily operations.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort by artists and crafts people in cities and towns around the world to feed people experiencing hunger. Since 2016, the Empty Bowls Club fundraisers have raised nearly $95,000 for The Pantry. Franklin High School teacher Brenna Johnson advises the club and encourages students to utilize their talents to help make a positive impact in their community.

Sponsors of the event included: J.M. Aldrich, Allegra Print and Marketing, Franklin Cultural Council, America's Best Defense, Elizabeth's Bagels, Fenton Financial Group, Mount Street Farm, QRGA Certified Public Accountants, Advanced European Repair, All Around Gymnastics Academy, The Baur Family, Chestnut Dental, Eagle Stainless Tube and Fabrication, Feet in Motion School of Dance, Franklin Matters, Grove Street Auto Repair, Knights of Columbus Franklin Council #1847, and Next9Up. Food and beverages for the event were provided by Big Y Supermarket, BJ’s Wholesale Club, 3 Restaurant, Franklin Food Services, and Whole Foods Market. Silent auction items included ceramic pieces from club members, a rendition of the

Massachusetts State House by State Representative Jeffrey Roy, and impressive items from Fiori & Fern, Learning Express, and the New England Patriots Foundation. “The Empty Bowls Club’s dedication and commitment to bringing awareness to food insecurity is truly inspiring,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry. “Demand for supplemental food assistance and our services is up 41 percent vs. last year, and the students and school staff are a shining example of what our community can do when we come together.”

For more information about supporting the Franklin Food Pantry, or to attend an upcoming event, please visit the Franklin Food Pantry website at www.franklinfoodpantry.org